Three held for Stealing UGX721 Million from Chinese Businessman

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Summary:

• Three individuals, Jonathan Semanda, Joram Mwebesa, and Ashraf Nsiko, have been remanded for allegedly robbing a Chinese businessman of $190,000 near Fang Fang Hotel in Kampala, prompting a reminder about the risks of carrying large sums of money; this incident follows a similar recent robbery involving a Chinese national on Wilson Road.

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Three suspects, Jonathan Semanda, Joram Mwebesa (alias Epu or Joram Nasasira), and Ashraf Nsiko, accused of aggravated robbery against a Chinese businessman, were remanded to Luzira Prison by Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate’s Court. The charges involved the alleged robbery of a Black Bag containing US$190,000 (Shillings 721 million) from the Chinese businessman Hewei on November 15th, 2023, near Fang Fang Hotel in Kampala Central Division.

During the court appearance before Grade One Magistrate Sienna Owomugisha, the accused were cautioned against entering a plea due to the capital offense nature of aggravated robbery. The court granted remand until December 18th, 2023, to allow ongoing investigations to conclude. Despite their physical appearance as minors, it was clarified that all three accused are 18 years old.

The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with carrying substantial sums of money without adequate security, especially for foreigners, as advised by the police. This case follows a similar robbery involving a Chinese national, Lee Shao, who lost 200 million shillings on Wilson Road. Despite firing at the assailants, Shao was unable to apprehend them.

This recent event also brings to mind the tragic incident last September involving the late Japanese national Ito Okira, who lost his life in a Kampala robbery. The attackers in Okira’s case are facing charges, including murder, and are currently remanded at Luzira Maximum Prison.